Geometry for a dual level fluid quantity sensing refillable fluid container
US7040728B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/17573
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fluid reservoir sensing system includes a pair of optical prisms that reflect light when a fluid level is below one of the pair of prisms. The pair of optical prisms includes a low prism usable to sense a low liquid level in the fluid reservoir, and a high prism usable to sense a high liquid level in the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir sensing system optionally includes an emitter and a photosensor. The emitter projects light through at least one of the low prism to the low incident surface and the high prism to the high incident surface. The photosensor senses light reflected from the low prism while the liquid is below the low prism. The photosensor also senses light from the high prism while the liquid level is below the high prism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.